OCCUPATIONAL VULNERABILITY IN CIVIL CONSTRUCTION: AN ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND THEIR REPERCUSSIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

The construction industry, although fundamental to economic development, exposes its workers to psychosocial risks that compromise their health, productivity, and safety. This study aims to investigate these risks, assessing their effects on the mental health, well-being, and productivity of construction workers, with the aim of proposing solutions to improve working conditions and mitigate their negative impacts. This work consists of a qualitative literature review, focusing on in-depth investigation of psychosocial risks and their impacts on the mental health of construction workers. Searches were conducted in the SciELO, PePSIC, and LILACS databases, covering the period 2020 to 2025, using the keywords: Civil Construction; Occupational Stress; Mental Health and Safety at Work. The results reveal that a lack of recognition and appreciation, strained working relationships, and long working hours intensify occupational stress, leading to consequences such as chronic fatigue, burnout syndrome, and other mental health disorders. It is concluded that the adoption of organizational policies focused on mental health, the promotion of psychological support, the appreciation of workers, and the implementation of stress management practices can significantly reduce the adverse effects of these risks in the sector.